Fire hose coupling with directional indicator

ABSTRACT

A fire hose coupling comprises a body having a first end connected to a fire hose and a second end having threads. The fire hose coupling comprises a recessed portion formed in an outer surface of the body. The recessed portion is shaped to define a visuotactile directional indicator such as an arrow. The recessed portion may include a light-reflecting surface to enhance visibility such as a super reflective metal film, a photo luminescent coating, or a phosfluorescent coating. The recessed directional indicator may be formed in either female or male couplings.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present technology relates generally to couplings and, inparticular, to fire hose couplings.

BACKGROUND

Fire hoses are coupled together with fire hose couplings. Thesecouplings are well known in the art. Typically, one side of a couplinghas an expansion ring to attach the coupling to its respective hose. Onthe other side of the coupling are usually a set of internal or externalthreads for fastening the coupling to complementary (external orinternal) threads of another coupling. In addition to these male andfemale couplings, there also exist so-called “sexless couplings” orStorz coupling (see U.S. Pat. No. 0,489,107). Usually, a fire truck isprovided with a male connector to which a female coupling is fastened. Afire hose assembly is then concatenated by coupling together sequentialmale and female couplings.

Firefighters operating in dark and smoke-filled environments are proneto becoming disoriented. In conditions of poor visibility, it isextremely helpful to have some means for the firefighter to determinewhich way leads to the exit, i.e. which hose direction leads back towardthe fire truck. Firefighters may be taught to seek out, for example, thefemale coupling of the connection as an indicator that this side of theconnection leads back to the fire truck. However, this method is notsatisfactory because a firefighter, in the heat of the moment, may notremember which coupling points back to the fire truck or he may not beable to properly see or feel the couplings. Furthermore, the fire hosesmay not have been assembled in the expected (conventional) way, and thusreliance on the assumption that, for example, the female coupling, leadsback to the fire truck, may in fact lead the firefighter to head thewrong direction. As will be appreciated, these issues are a matter oflife and death to firefighters. Improvements on conventional techniquesare thus extremely important.

To address the aforementioned problems, a number of different bands,clamps, and collars have been developed for sliding over fire hoses toindicate the direction to safety. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,135(Ruiz) discloses a flexible identification collar for hoses. U.S. Pat.No. 4,844,000 and U.S. Design Pat. Nos. 382,501; 345,520; 345,519 and312,390 (all to Clement) disclose direction-indicating bands forattaching to firefighting hoses. These slide-on devices are inherentlyproblematic because they represent an additional component to beassembled to the hose, thus slowing down the assembly of the fire hosewhen time is of the essence. Furthermore, these external bands, clamps,etc. may catch or snag on objects (e.g. ledges, nails, splintered wood,etc.) as the hose is dragged through the burning building. Moreover,they may slide down the hose, out of reach and out of sight.

In a similar vein is a fire hose directional indicator disclosed byTamez, Jr. et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 6,766,761. This gasket-like annularbody fits over the male threads of the male coupler and is capturedbetween the threads of the abutting male and female couplers. Thedisadvantage of this device is that it represents a further componentthat has to be assembled. The coupling only has tactile indicatorextensions that require a firefighter to feel the direction to safety.If the device is out of the firefighter's reach, it may be of limitedutility, particularly in conditions of poor visibility.

Also known in the art are various fire hose couplings with directionalindicators. These offer the advantages of not requiring assembly ofadditional components and not being prone to slide up and down the hoseout of reach and out of sight.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,623,890 (Lenske) which discloses a firehose coupling with directional finger-like extensions. An embossed word(“EXIT”) is provided on the extensions. This provides both visual andtactile indication to the firefighter of the direction of the exit. TheLenske coupling requires that the firefighter either feel the directionof the finger-like extensions or be able to see the finger-likeextension with the embossed word “EXIT”. If the firefighter is notwithin reach of the coupling or if the firefighter cannot see thecoupling due to poor smoke, darkness or other vision-impairing reasons,the device cannot inform the firefighter of the direction to safety. Onedisadvantage of having an embossed word exposed on the outer surface ofthe extensions is that the embossed word is prone to abrasion and wear.Over time, the embossed word may become so worn as to be illegible.Furthermore, the extensions may not only cause the hose to hang up (snagor catch) when dragged but also trap or collect hot debris under theextensions causing spot burn throughs. A further problem with theseextensions is that, when the hose is slack, i.e. not filled with water,the extensions may puncture or damage the hose when folded or rolledtightly for storage.

Accordingly, a need remains for an improved fire hose coupling thataddresses one or more of the deficiencies of the aforementioned priorart.

SUMMARY

In general, the present invention provides a fire hose coupling having adirectional indicator for indicating a direction to safety (i.e. thedirection to the exit). This directional indicator assists firefighterswho may become disoriented in conditions of poor visibility. Thecoupling has a substantially annular body that includes a recessed, or“sunken”, portion formed in the outer surface of the body. Since therecessed portion is both visual and tactile (i.e. can be both seen andfelt, even through thick firefighter gloves), this directional indicatoris said to be “visuotactile”. This visuotactile indicator may be shapedlike an arrow, for example, or like any other readily recognizablesymbol.

The recessed portion of the coupling may contain a light-reflectingsurface to enhance visibility. This light-reflecting surface may be madeof a super reflective, photo luminescent or phosfluorescent material.Other coatings, paints, tapes, films, etc. that provide extremely highreflectivity or brightness may be used as well. This light-reflectingsurface makes the directional indicator more likely to be seen inconditions of poor visibility (e.g. in a dark or smoke-filledenvironment). In addition to an arrow or other such symbol, the couplingmay include an engraved word (or word with recessed lettering) such as,for example, “EXIT” or “OUT” (or other foreign-language wordsappropriate to the local language understood by the firefighters usingthe couplings).

Thus, a main aspect of the present invention is a fire hose couplingcomprising a substantially annular body having a first end forconnecting to a fire hose and a second end having threads or aquarter-turn coupler for connecting to another coupling, and a recessedportion formed in an outer surface of the coupling body, the recessedportion shaped to define a visuotactile directional indicator.

In embodiments of the invention, the recessed portion defining thedirectional indicator contains a light-reflecting surface for enhancingvisibility of the directional indicator. This is useful for firefightersoperating in conditions of poor visibility (e.g. a dark and smoke-filledroom or corridor). The recessed portion not only protects thelight-reflecting surface from wear and abrasion, but it also minimizesthe chance of the coupling catching or snagging on some object as thefire hose is dragged through a burning building.

Another aspect of the present invention is a fire hose assemblycomprising a first fire hose having a first coupling and a second firehose having a second coupling adapted to be mechanically coupled to thefirst coupling. One or both of the first and second coupling comprises arecessed portion formed in an outer surface of a body of the coupling.This recessed portion is shaped to define a visuotactile directionalindicator.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is a method of indicating adirection of exit when assembling fire hoses. The method entailsproviding a first fire hose having one end adapted to connect to a firetruck and another end having a first coupling and providing a secondfire hose having a nozzle at one end and a second coupling at anotherend that is adapted to be mechanically coupled to the first coupling.One or both of the first coupling and the second coupling comprises avisuotactile directional indicator formed as a recessed portion in anouter surface of a body of the coupling. The method further involvescoupling the first and second couplings such that the one or moredirectional indicators points toward the fire truck, thereby indicatingthe direction of exit.

The details and particulars of these aspects of the invention will nowbe described below, by way of example, with reference to the attacheddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the present technology will becomeapparent from the following detailed description, taken in combinationwith the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a female fire hose coupling inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a male fire hose coupling connected to afemale fire hose coupling in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a Storz (sexless) coupling havingdifferently coloured directional arrows in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention.

It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like featuresare identified by like reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, the present invention provides a fire hose coupling with adirectional indicator. The directional indicator is designed to indicatea direction to safety (i.e. the direction to the exit). In other words,the directional indicator points the firefighter toward the fire truck,which thus leads the firefighter out of the burning building or otherstructure. This directional indicator assists firefighters who maybecome disoriented, confused or lost in conditions of poor visibilitysuch as for example in a dark and smoke-filled room, corridor or otherlocation.

This novel coupling (or “coupler”) has a substantially annular body thatincludes a recessed, or “sunken”, portion formed in the outer surface ofthe body. The recessed or sunken portion thus defines a depressed areaor cavity in the body of the coupling into which a symbol (e.g. anarrow) and/or a word (e.g. “EXIT”) may be provided for enhancingvisibility of the directional indicator for the firefighter.

Since the recessed portion is both visual and tactile (i.e. can be bothseen and felt, even through thick firefighter gloves), this directionalindicator is said to be “visuotactile”. This visuotactile indicator maybe shaped like an arrow, for example, or like any other readilyrecognizable symbol that is easily discerned either visually and/ortactilely (by touch).

The recessed portion of the coupling may contain a light-reflectingsurface to enhance visibility. This light-reflecting surface may be madeof a super reflective, photo luminescent or phosfluorescent material(e.g. fluorescent tape). Other coatings, paints, tapes, metallic films,etc. that provide extremely high reflectivity or brightness may be usedas well. As will be appreciated, various combinations oflight-reflecting materials may be used to achieve any desired visualeffect. This light-reflecting surface makes the directional indicatormore likely to be seen in conditions of poor visibility (e.g. in a darkor smoke-filled environment). In addition to an arrow or other suchsymbol, the coupling may include an engraved word (or word with recessedlettering) such as, for example, “EXIT” or “OUT” (or otherforeign-language words appropriate to the local language understood bythe firefighters using the couplings).

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a female coupling designated byreference numeral 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown by way of example, this coupling 10 has asubstantially annular body 12 having a first end 14 connected to a firehose 16 and a second end 18 having threads. A recessed portion 20 isformed in an outer surface 22 of the coupling body 12. The recessedportion 20 is shaped to define a visuotactile directional indicator. Inthis particular example, the visuotactile directional indicator isshaped like an arrow. Other symbol or shapes may be substituted such as,for example, a sideways V (“<”) or a series of sideways V's (“<<<”).

The recessed portion 20 may have a light-reflecting surface to enhancevisibility of the directional indicator.

The light-reflecting surface inside the recessed portion 20 may be madeof a super reflective metal film, a photo luminescent coating, or aphosfluorescent coating. Other paints, coatings, films, etc. havingextremely high reflectivity or brightness may be used.

Optionally, in addition to an arrow or other such symbol, the couplingmay include an engraved word (or word with recessed lettering) such as,for example, “EXIT” or “OUT” (or other foreign-language wordsappropriate to the local language understood by the firefighters usingthe couplings).

Optionally, the substantially annular body 12 has a plurality ofrecessed portions 20. This helps to ensure that at least one directionalindicator is always visible irrespective of the position (or lie) of thecoupling. As a specific example, the substantially annular body may havethree directional indicators on the outer surface of the coupling. Aswill be appreciated, any number of directional indicators may be usedprovided they remain large to be readily visible.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a male fire hose coupling 11 connectedto a female fire hose 10 coupling in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention. The female coupling 10 is the same as describedabove. The male coupling has external threads for connecting tocomplementary internal threads on the female coupling. As shown by wayof example in FIG. 2, both the female coupling 10 and the male coupling11 have directional indicators. It is possible, however, to have thedirectional indicators on only the male coupling or on only the femalecoupling. As shown in FIG. 2, the visuotactile directional indicator isformed by the recessed portion 20 located in the outer surface of theannular body.

In one embodiment, as shown by way of example in FIG. 2, one recessedportion (directional indicator) is disposed between each adjacent pairof lugs 24 that extend radially outwardly from the substantially annularbody. In this specific example, the annular body has three lugs 24.Three arrow-shaped directional indicators are provided between eachadjacent pair of lugs. This disposition of directional indicatorsensures that at least one directional indicator is visible irrespectiveof the lie of the coupling (i.e. regardless of how the coupling ispositioned).

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a Storz (sexless) coupling havingdifferently coloured directional arrows in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the coupling iscomposed of a first sexless coupling 30 and a second sexless coupling40. The first sexless coupling 30 includes a first coupling body 32having a first coupler 34. The second sexless coupling 40 includes asecond coupling body 42 having a second coupler 44. These Storz orsexless couplings are also referred to as quarter-turn couplings in theindustry. On the first coupling body 30 is a first directional arrow 38.On the second coupling body 40 is a second directional arrow 48. In thisembodiment, the directional arrows 38, 48 are of different colour orappearance. This facilitates assembly of the sexless couplings. Anysuitable colour scheme or visual indicia can be used to facilitateconnection of the Storz couplings. For example, a convention may beadopted that red-coloured arrows are on the side of the coupling facingthe nozzle while yellow-coloured arrows are on the side of the couplingfacing the hydrant or fire truck. As will be appreciate, any symbols,shading, lettering or other visual indicia may be added to furtherdistinguish one side from the other.

The novel coupling disclosed herein can be used as part of a novel firehose assembly. The assembly has a first fire hose 36 having a firstcoupling 30, wherein the first coupling comprises a body having arecessed portion formed in an outer surface of the body, the recessedportion shaped to define a visuotactile directional indicator. Theassembly also has a second fire hose 46 having a second coupling 40adapted to be mechanically coupled to the first coupling.

The novel coupling disclosed herein can also be used in a novel methodof indicating a direction of exit when assembling fire hoses. The methodentails providing a first fire hose having one end adapted to connect toa fire truck and another end having a first coupling and providing asecond fire hose having a nozzle at one end and a second coupling atanother end that is adapted to be mechanically coupled to the firstcoupling. One or both of the first coupling and the second couplingcomprises a visuotactile directional indicator formed as a recessedportion in an outer surface of a body of the coupling. The method theninvolves coupling the first and second couplings such that the one ormore directional indicators points toward the fire truck, therebyindicating the direction of exit.

The coupling, assembly and method confer advantages over the prior art.The coupling has a visuotactile directional indicator that formed as arecessed portion in the annular body of the coupling. As such, thecoupling is less likely to catch or snag as the hose assembly is draggedthrough a building. The recessed portion defining the visuotactiledirectional indicator may have a light-reflecting surface (e.g.high-reflectivity coating, tape, film, etc.) that enhances visibility.Since this light-reflecting surface is protected within the recessedportion, it does not abrade or wear when the hose and coupling assemblyis dragged over the ground or floor, thus preserving the reflectivity ofthe light-reflecting surface of the directional indicator. This improvedcoupling is therefore safer and easier to utilize since it is lesslikely to cause the hose and coupling assembly to catch or snag whenbeing dragged through a flaming building. Furthermore, the visuotactiledirectional indicators on this improved coupling are more resistant towear and abrasion, thus prolonging the coupling's usefulness as avisuotactile indicator in conditions in poor visibility.

This new technology has been described in terms of specific examples,embodiments, implementations and configurations which are intended to beexemplary only. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciatethat obvious variations, modifications and refinements can be madewithout departing from the scope of the present invention. The scope ofthe exclusive right sought by the Applicant is therefore intended to belimited solely by the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A fire hose coupling comprising: asubstantially annular coupling body having a first end for connecting toa fire hose and a second end for connecting to another coupling; and atleast one recessed portion formed in an outer surface of thesubstantially annular coupling body, the recessed portion beingarrow-shaped to define a visuotactile directional indicator forindicating a direction of exit, wherein the substantially annularcoupling body comprises: a plurality of lugs that extend radiallyoutwardly from the substantially annular coupling body, the plurality oflugs forming one or more adjacent pairs of lugs; and wherein the atleast one recessed portion comprises a plurality of recessed portions,and wherein each recessed portion of the plurality of recessed portionsis disposed between the one or more adjacent pairs of lugs and isarrow-shaped to define the visuotactile directional indicator forindicating a direction of exit.
 2. The coupling as claimed in claim 1wherein the recessed portion comprises a light-reflecting surface toenhance visibility of the directional indicator.
 3. The coupling asclaimed in claim 2 wherein the light-reflecting surface inside therecessed portion comprises a super reflective metal film.
 4. Thecoupling as claimed in claim 2 wherein the light-reflecting surfaceinside the recessed portion comprises a photo luminescent coating. 5.The coupling as claimed in claim 2 wherein the light-reflecting surfaceinside the recessed portion comprises a phosfluorescent coating.
 6. Thecoupling as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second end of thesubstantially annular coupling body comprises internal threads tothereby define a female coupling.
 7. The coupling as claimed in claim 1,wherein the second end of the substantially annular coupling bodycomprises external threads to thereby define a male coupling.
 8. Thecoupling as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first andsecond ends of the substantially annular coupling body comprises aquarter-turn coupler to thereby define a sexless coupling.
 9. Thecoupling as claimed in claim 8 wherein a first directional indicator ona first sexless coupling and a second directional indicator on a secondsexless coupling are different colors.